Rachel J. Says:
I’m considering retiring in Italy, but I want to be able to work either as a private music instructor or teach English. Can I do this with a residential visa? Because with a retiree visa, I don’t believe one can earn money.
IL Italy Correspondent Chip Stites Says:
Hi Rachel,
Great question! And one that I puzzled with for a time myself.
Yes, the ERV (Elective Residence Visa) says you may not work. However, I have spoken with people who have lived here as expats for almost three decades and worked with the ERV.
The biggest deal is that the government wants to protect Italian jobs. My wife worked here in Italy teaching English in a secondary school for a short time with the ERV. She is considered to be a “madre lingua,” or mother tongue instructor, for English.
This grants her an exception to the rule—as it should for you.
I am on an ERV, and I do not work in Italy. I have turned down a job with RAI Radio as I didn’t want a public job on this type of visa. But when I visited my consulate in the US, I was told that I could work in the US while in Italy.
So technically, you should be able to work remotely for a company in the US while living in Italy on the ERV.
I should note, however, that since I went to the consulate for my interview, the wording on the consulate website has changed a bit.
Every consulate has slightly different requirements, so read carefully to ensure you qualify.
You should also read the work visa information/requirements and see if you can find a school looking for a “madra lingua” instructor. This might allow you to get a work visa and move to Italy.
I wish you well in your efforts. The move has been well worth it for us, and I hope for you too. Read more about visas and residency in Italy on the dedicated page of the newly redesigned IL website.
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